Boating Basics: On the Water

Non-Lateral Markers

Non-lateral markers are navigational aids that give information other than the edges of safe water areas. The most common are regulatory markers which are white and use orange markings and black lettering. These markers are found on lakes and rivers.

Illustrations	What the Non-Lateral Markers Indicate
	Information Squares indicate where to find food, supplies, repairs, etc. and give directions and other information.
	Controlled Circles indicate a controlled area such as speed limit, no fishing or anchoring, ski only or no skiing, or "slow, no wake."
	Exclusion Crossed diamonds indicate areas off-limits to all vessels such as swimming areas, dams, and spillways.
	Danger Diamonds warn of dangers such as rocks, shoals, construction, dams, or stumps. Always proceed with caution

Other Non-Lateral Markers

	Safe Water Markers are white with red vertical stripes and mark mid-channels or fairways. They may be passed on either side.
	Inland Waters Obstruction Markers are white with black vertical stripes and indicate an obstruction to navigation. You should not pass between these buoys and the nearest shore.

New Hampshire's Spar Buoys

Vessels operating on New Hampshire waters must observe these rules when encountering spar buoys.

Illustrations	What the Spar Buoys Indicate
	All Black This buoy marks one side of a well-defined channel. Go between it and its companion "all red" spar buoy.
	All Red This buoy marks one side of a well-defined channel. Go between it and its companion "all black" spar buoy.
	White with Red Top If heading east or west, go south of this buoy. If heading north or south, go west of this buoy.
	White with Black Top If heading east or west, go north of this buoy. If heading north or south, go east of this buoy.